Legislators returned to Springfield this week for a series of “special sessions” called by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to deal with state budget matters, which ended with the Governor vetoing $1.4 billion in spending.

Senator Tim Bivins says most of the reductions – nearly 70 percent – were applied to growth areas in this fiscal year’s budget.

While the vetoes hit funding for areas such as Medicaid, school construction and the Regional Transportation Authority’s reduced fare program, other projects such as staffing for the expansion of the LaSalle Veterans Home remained intact with full funding.

News Detail

Senate Week in Review: July 7-11, 2008

7/15/2008

The Governor called the special sessions in an attempt to get the House of Representatives to approve several revenue measures for the state – including gaming expansion, Lottery leasing and fund sweeps – measures the Senate previously passed in May in an attempt to close a $2 billion spending gap.

The $585 million vetoed from Medicaid would defer costs until next fiscal year, creating a 33 percent increase in the already long repayment cycle to providers. Despite this veto, the state’s Medicaid program itself is not being scaled back.

Also cut was construction grant funding totaling $150 million for 24 school districts. The districts had been entitled to these grants since Fiscal Year 2002. Additionally, the Governor cut $37 million allocated for the RTA to provide partial reimbursement for reduced fares for senior citizens, students and people with disabilities.

Some of the state’s agricultural programs were also hit with cuts. Half of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ funding – $3.5 million – was slashed from the budget, as was another $2.1 million for the University of Illinois’ Cooperative Extension.

The budgets for the state’s constitutional officers – Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor – also saw significant reductions, ranging from 10 to 25 percent. The Governor’s office budget, however, was reduced by only 2.7 percent.

Legislation passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives during the week of July 7-11 includes:

Marijuana (SB 2198): Property connected to the manufacturing, delivery or sale of cannabis can be forfeited if a person has more than 2,000 grams.